On her new album The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift pays tribute to the late George Michael with the song Father Figure, which not only shares its title with Michael’s 1987 hit but also incorporates a melody from the original track’s chorus.
This collaboration earned Michael a songwriting credit alongside Swift and producers Max Martin and Shellback.
While Michael’s original is sung from the perspective of a man wanting to be a “preacher,” “teacher,” and notably a “daddy” to his younger lover, Swift’s version adopts a darker tone.
She sings from the viewpoint of a figure in the music industry—possibly a mentor or executive—who cares for a “protégé,” demanding “loyalty” in exchange.
The track contains Mafia-inspired metaphors such as “protecting the family” and the ominous line, “You’ll be sleeping with the fishes,” evoking The Godfather.
Among its lyrics are Easter eggs, including the phrase “They don’t make loyalty like they used to,” recently decoded by fans.
Swift previously paid homage to Michael by covering Wham!’s Last Christmason her 2007 holiday EP.
When I found you, you were young, wayward, lost in the cold
Pulled up to you in the Jag
Turned your rags into gold
The winding road leads to the chateau
“You remind me of a younger me”
I saw potential
I’ll be your father figure
I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil
Because my dick’s bigger
This love is pure profit
Just step into my office
I dry your tears with my sleeve
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
I protect the family
I pay the check before it kisses the mahogany grain
Said, “They want to see you rise. They don’t want you to reign.”
I showed you all the tricks of the trade
All I ask for is your loyalty
My dear protégé
I’ll be your father figure
I drink that brown liquor
I can make deals with the devil
Because my dick’s bigger
This love is pure profit
Just step into my office
They’ll know your name in the streets
Leave it with me
I protect the family
I saw a change in you
My dear boy
They don’t make loyalty like they used to
Your thoughtless ambition sparked the ignition
On foolish decisions which led to misguided visions
That to fulfill your dreams
You had to get rid of me
I protect the family
I was your father figure
We drank that brown liquor
You made a deal with this devil
Turns out my dick’s bigger
You want a fight, you found it
I got the place surrounded
You’ll be sleeping with the fishes
Before you know you’re drowning
Whose portrait’s on the mantle?
Who covered up your scandals?
Mistake my kindness for weakness
And find your card cancelled
I was your father figure
You pulled the wrong trigger
This empire belongs to me
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
I protect the family
Leave it with me
You know, you remind me of a younger me
I saw potential